WATCH: Art in the Transformed PIT Unveiled

PIT’s new terminal reflects, connects and serves the Pittsburgh region through new works of art from local talent

By Rocco Pacella

Published September 4, 2025

Read Time: 3 mins

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The transformed PIT is designed to provide a reflection of the Pittsburgh region’s natural and historic environments, enhancing the airport’s connection with its surroundings. 

Taking these elements of reflection and connection within the airport’s design even further is PIT’s Art in the Airport program, which contributes to a more insightful, enriching airport experience by infusing a sense of place—region, community, people, Pittsburgh—into air travel. 

The Art in the Airport program is thoughtfully distinct, offering work at 30 locations throughout PIT’s campus, most of which was created by artists from the Pittsburgh region.  

“We chose artists who were able to come in from the community from 150 miles around Pittsburgh who have a good regional voice,” said Keny Marshall, PIT’s arts and culture manager. 

Artists like Fredy Huamann Mallqui, from Erie, Pa., provide a unique perspective from within the regional community. His hand-carved wood sculptures, entitled “Connections,” will be featured in the new PIT terminal in baggage claim this fall.  

“It’s related to my own experience as a migrant from Peru when I came in 2012,” said Mallqui, “and connecting with other people, with other cultures.”  

The new terminal airport art program is also part of the wayfinding and user experience. The space selections were very intentional in where art – and the type of art should be located. It is meant to complement passenger traffic flow. Places in the airport where passengers may be stationary (baggage claim, for example) have art displays that provide deeper engagement, such as the “Luggage Thoughts” exhibit by artist John Peña. 

The work of local craftspeople has added further depth to the airport’s design alongside the group of predominantly local artists brought in as part of PIT’s transformation. These artisans were engaged to share their perspectives on the Pittsburgh region through their work, adding distinctiveness and authenticity to the transformed PIT experience. 

One of those craftspeople is Jason Boone, owner of Urban Tree, a local, full-cycle woodworking shop. Boone and his team reclaim trees from Pittsburgh’s urban forest, shaping them into uniquely beautiful, usable furniture pieces. Those same trees have been transformed into frames for PIT’s new flight information display systems—known in the aviation community as FIDS—that will be placed throughout the airport.   

Other artisans include Limelight Tile and Brian Peters Studio, both of which crafted specialized tiling within the new PIT terminal’s restrooms and both of which are located in Pittsburgh. Transit Forge of Cambridge Springs, PA, produced custom wrought-aluminum vases and coat hooks for those same restrooms. 

PIT has, by design, utilized local artists and artisans to build “Pittsburgh” into the airport—an airport built for Pittsburgh, by Pittsburgh and sharing a sense of the Pittsburgh region with all who may visit.  

 “This airport is Pittsburgh’s airport,” said PIT CEO Christina Cassotis. “When you land here, you’re going to feel like you’re home or you’re going to think, ‘Wow! I didn’t know that about Pittsburgh.’” 

In addition to the Calder, other works featured in the transformed PIT include: 

Title: “Capturing Pittsburgh’s Seasons” 

Artist: Chris Craychee – Pittsburgh 

Location: Departures Level restrooms 

 

Title: “Community” 

Artist: Ramon Riley – Pittsburgh 

Location: Customer Service Building restrooms 

 

Title: “Connections” 

Artist: Fredy Huamann Mallqui – Erie, Pa. 

Location: Baggage Claim, Arrivals Level  

 

Title: “Cross Currents” 

Artist: Adam Kuby – Portland, Oregon 

Location: Parking Structure and Roadways 

 

Title: “Forest Floor” 

Artist: Clayton Merrell – Pittsburgh 

Location: Departures Level  

 

Title: “Fractal Dance in Transit Gardens” 

Artist: Carolina Loyola-Garcia – Pittsburgh 

Location: Concourse B restrooms 

 

Title: “Immersion: A Pittsburgh Sound Portrait” 

Artist: Susan Narduli – Los Angeles 

Location: Escalators and Ground Level 

 

Title: “Looking Up from Here” 

Artist: Njaimeh Njie – Pittsburgh 

Location: Arrivals Level restrooms 

 

Title: “Luggage Thoughts” 

Artist: John Pena – Pittsburgh 

Location: Baggage claim, Arrivals Level 

 

Title: “On a Molecular Level (Halophilic 2-ACAA)” 

Artist: Christine Lorenz – Pittsburgh 

Location: Concourse D restrooms 

 

Title: “Open Columns” 

Artist: Patrick Marold – Denver, Colorado  

Location: Green Spaces Outside New Terminal 

 

Title: “Orrery and Butterfly Nebula” 

Artist: Alisha Wormsley – Pittsburgh 

Location: International Arrivals Area, Arrivals Level  

 

Title: “Something About Sky” 

Artist: Lori Hepner – Pittsburgh 

Location: Commercial (Apron) Level restrooms 

 

Title: “The Trees Are a Forest” and “All That Burns Brightly” 

Artist: Sharmistha Ray – Pittsburgh 

Location: Concourse A restrooms 

 

Title: “Touchstones” 

Artist: Kim Beck – Pittsburgh 

Location: Concourse C restrooms 

 

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